Entering 2020, my company, a video marketing firm, announced major changes to our HR systems, processes, and calendar. The team wanted our HR operating system to be more predictable and align better with our overall operating system. This meant introducing a semi-annual performance review cycle, moving everyone onto one fall compensation review cycle, and spreading out other HR activities to better support the business cycle. … [Read more...] about How we’re revamping our review process to be kinder on our employees
Decision making process questions
The “dozen-bagel” secret to preserving startup spirit as your company grows
Think about it this way: a startup moves fast and moves boldly because it has to by necessity and design. Its small size means there’s not much overhead and also that lines of communication are clear. The presence of a founder, a CEO, or at most a small group of cofounders and execs who can make decisions fast and feel singularly accountable for the outcome makes the results personal. If the company wins, they win. If the company fails, they fail.It’s exactly the same for small teams within a large company, which is why they’re crucial. Amazon’s structure built on teams of no more than ten people is a testament to how to scale up a company without losing the urgency, focus, and quality of talent that characterizes a startup by building a large company out of what are essentially many startups. Among other things, it eliminates complexity of collaboration, which grows rapidly with the size of a company. That means it’s (almost) exponentially more difficult … [Read more...] about The “dozen-bagel” secret to preserving startup spirit as your company grows
Burnout put me in the hospital. This is what I learned about healthy work-life balance
When the test results came in, the next stage of my life was set in motion. The doctor told me that the level of stress I’d experienced for such an extended period of time was so extreme that it had physically damaged the tissues in my body. The sustained level of the stress hormone cortisol I had for such an extended period of time meant that my organs, muscles, etc. were severely weakening. … [Read more...] about Burnout put me in the hospital. This is what I learned about healthy work-life balance
The new top challenge for HR teams: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
D&I action, not talk D&I initiatives must be a core component of all enterprises. Companies that fall short on these efforts risk incurring fines, bad press and class action lawsuits. In fact, new SEC rules and ISO metrics are being used to promote better accountability and reporting in workforce management. Additionally, both employees and the public are demanding corporations address outstanding core issues around D&I. … [Read more...] about The new top challenge for HR teams: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
My company has gone through 3 growth cycles in 18 months. Here’s how I navigated them
It will take a few months. This is the hardest step for me. After a setback I am always tempted to step back into the work and try to problem solve. However, if the goals are clear and we have the right people in the right seats, then they will figure it out. I’m still working on this one for our new channels. (Check back with me in a few months!) I do have faith that we have the right structure in place to capture market share come January, when healthy eating becomes top of mind and the cold weather makes delivery especially attractive. … [Read more...] about My company has gone through 3 growth cycles in 18 months. Here’s how I navigated them
